The Grateful Thread

On point, a demo version of Pride Of Cucamonga came up on my shuffle tonight. Just Phil and an acoustic guitar, probably him. I never paid a whole lot of attention to the lyrics before but it sounds like Bobby Petersen's autobiography. A real interesting character.

Wrote lyrics for 3 Grateful Dead tunes on record and the legendary Revolutionary Hamstrung Blues which got played once in concert.

With lyrics like those it's understandable why it only got one go.

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I dunno, I always kind of liked that one and wish they had given it more than one go. Beats the heck out of Wave to the Wind and the other latter day Phil songs. But I maybe had a soft spot because the 70’s kid in me always thought it was “Speed Racer” and not “Speed Razor,” the latter of which seems more of a Replacements “Lay It Down Clown” kind of thing. [Edit: that lyric sheet is a great find, never saw that before. That first set from Portland ‘86 is a good listen in general.]

After the usual disappointment of Dick's Picks 16 (I play it every few years) it was amazing to hear 2/22/69

That show is even better than the Fillmore West shows.

If I was home alone I would blast it so the whole street could hear.

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I don’t know if better, but it can hold its own. It’s a real shame there is a reel cut in what otherwise might be the best version of Death Don’t Have Mercy ever recorded. Garcia’s vocals on that version floored me when I first heard it.

Aye laddie; I originally had a quote from Pulp Fiction but I opted for something a bit more family-friendly and slightly more obscure. And yes, that's Phil on acoustic on Cucamonga (and possibly the last time Jerry pulled out his pedal steel on the originally-released studio track (and furthermore, what's up with 2:12-2:22 on the originally-released version: a very not-so-subtle tribute to CSN(&/or)Y?)?). (!)

Aye laddie; I originally had a quote from Pulp Fiction but I opted for something a bit more family-friendly and slightly more obscure. And yes, that's Phil on acoustic on Cucamonga (and possibly the last time Jerry pulled out his pedal steel on the originally-released studio track (and furthermore, what's up with 2:12-2:22 on the originally-released version: a very not-so-subtle tribute to CSN(&/or)Y?)?). (!)

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Phil's original demo of the tune has circulated for many years, and was given "pride of place" when bonus tracks were added to Mars Hotel, along with Unbroken Chain. The is a full band demo of Chain, and even a false start version where Jerry 'scolds' the piano player, whom he refers to as "fumble-fingers Godchaux."

In all seriousness though, people talk about Spring 90 like it's the end of an era but Bruce comes in in the fall and 1991 is quite possibly the HOTTEST year, energy wise, in a very long time and one of the best overall. That basically carries through until his departure in 92.

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When are you going to change your handle to @warewolf90’s already . Always good to have some caped crusaders ready to jump in defense.

After the usual disappointment of Dick's Picks 16 (I play it every few years)

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11/8/69 (Dick's Picks 16) is unusual for being a jam with Dark Star where Dark Star is one of the least interesting parts. I enjoy it for the Uncle John and Main Ten jams, and the transitions from Dark Star to Other One and back.

The recent Dave's has me delving into the 80s. After thoroughly enjoying DiP6 I have gone to the archive.
Please, don't stop what you are doing, but add 2/26/81 Uptown Theater Chicago to your to do list.
First, a really nice sounding sbd.
Peggy-O and Music Never Stopped are all time versions.
In set 2 there is a solid 10 minute jam after He's Gone which rivals some of the 73-74 free form sections.
Haven't finished yet, this will get repeat listens.

The recent Dave's has me delving into the 80s. After thoroughly enjoying DiP6 I have gone to the archive.
Please, don't stop what you are doing, but add 2/26/81 Uptown Theater Chicago to your to do list.
First, a really nice sounding sbd.
Peggy-O and Music Never Stopped are all time versions.
In set 2 there is a solid 10 minute jam after He's Gone which rivals some of the 73-74 free form sections.
Haven't finished yet, this will get repeat listens.

Non-Brent folks should hit this one up. Has a chill 76 feel to it.

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Great little run there to open that tour. I have all 3 on cdr somewhere.

My wife loves "Playin'" but can't stand Donna's wail. I point out that it lasts maybe five seconds, but that fails to placate her. She never lets it pass in silence.

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My wife LOVES Donna’s wail plus PITB is her all-time favorite Grateful Dead song. She even loves the 15 to 20 minute versions. She still struggles a bit with the 25 or 30 minute versions but she loved the 31 minute version on Dave’s 11.

Finished off the 10/20/68 show from 30 Trips earlier, that was a really good Dark Star, seemed like the set really got going right about then and was smoking all the way up to Caution and wrapped with a beautiful Feedback.

Taking a little break from 30 Trips to giving another listen to 6/16/76 from Dave’s 18th and bonus disc.